Vatican City, 12 June 2015 – Today the Holy Father has appointed Bishop Thomas Ignatius Macwan as archbishop of Gandhinagar (area 29,942, population 11,123,000, Catholics 15,683, priests 28, religious 112), India. Archbishop Macwan, previously Bishop of Ahmedabad, India, succeeds Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes, S.J., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

Gujarati Catholic Samaj of USA proudly congratulate Hon. Bishop Thomas Macwan on his appointment as Archbishop of Gandhinagar, by Holy father Pope Francis. We have so many fond memories of his presence with us here in the States as a priest, as a Bishop in the last 15+ years.

History was written when Fr. Thomas Macwan (native Gujarati) was appointed as Bishop of Ahmedabad Diocese. This is even bigger history making news that Hon. Bishop Thomas Macwan is now appointed as Archbishop of Gandhinagar. We wish him all the best and we know he will do his best to serve not only people of Gujarat but Gujarati people from all around the world.

Hon. Bishop Thomas Macwan will be formally installed as Archbishop of Gandhinagar on September 25, 2015.

The members of Gujarati Catholic Samaj of USA are eager to welcome him as Hon. Archbishop of Gandhinagar in near future.

At this time we would like to express our gratitude and thanks to retiring Hon. Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes. He was the very first appointed Archbishop for Gujarat. We are fortunate to meet and greet him not only back in India but in USA too. He presided on the “DOOT” 100th anniversary celebration held by Gujarati Catholic Samaj of USA in 2010. We are also blessed and thank him for being a celebrant of holy Eucharist for us, with his for couple of times.

We wish him happy retirement. May God grant him healthy and happy life.